Strapping severing tool

ABSTRACT

A simple longitudinally extending body defines the tool, the body having enveloping surfaces for engaging strapping banding and to accommodate the travel of the tool with a strapping banded item. One or more of the surfaces defines a severing edge for severingly parting the banding, i.e., the strapping, upon the terminal-end handle of the tool being raised or moved transverse to the strapping. In some embodiments, the tool further defines means for clasping and securing juxtaposed terminal ends of strapping, that the strapping might be secured about the item shipping crate, or whatever.

United States Patent [19] Brothers et a1.

[ STRAPPING SEVERING TOOL [76] Inventors: Jack Brothers, 806 Tuxedo Dr.,

Wright, Fla. 32548; Walter J. Fuzia, 3 Richard Dr., West, Mount Arlington, NJ. 07856 [22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1973 I21 I Appl. No.: 418,828

Related [1.8. Application Data [60], Division ol'Ser. No 256,155, May 23, 1972, Pat. No. 3,791,031, which is a continuation-in-part of Scr. No. 124,822, March 16, 1971, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 30/296 R [51] Int. Cl B26b 11/00 [58] Field of Search 30/124, 165, 278, 280, 30/901, 1, 90.4, 90.8, 286, 296 R, 289; 229/51 AS [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 471,216 3/1892 Foy 30/289 X [451 Aug. 27, 1974 1,991,267 2/ 1935 Waldron 30/280 2,719,358 10/1955 Lassen 2,881,520 4/1959 Mito 3,611,571 10/1971 Belling 30/280 Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-J. C. Peters Attorney, Agent, or Firm.loseph T. Skelley 571 ABSTRACT A simple longitudinally extending body defines the tool, the body having enveloping surfaces for engaging strapping banding and to accommodate the travel of the tool with a strapping banded item. One or more of the surfaces defines a severing edge for severingly parting the banding, i.e., the strapping, upon the terminal-end handle of the tool being raised or moved transverse to the strapping. In some embodiments, the tool further defines means for clasping and securing juxtaposed terminal ends of strapping, that the strapping might be secured about the item shipping crate, or whatever.

10 Claims, 31 Drawing Figures PAIENIEnAmmu v STRAPPING SEVERING TOOL This is a division of US. Pat. application Ser. No. 256,155, filed May 23, 1972, which issued as US. Pat. No. 3,791,031 on Feb. 12, 1974. i

This invention pertains to tools used for severing packaging or banding strapping, such as the metal strapping used to secure the sides of crates and the like, and in particular to a tool so configured as to accommodate its banding to a crate for travel with and in engagement with the strapping, which is manipulatable for severing the strapping. This is a continuation-inpart application proceeding from co-pending US. Pat. application No. 124,822; filed Mar. 16, I971; under the title Strapping Severing Tool; by Jack Brothers and Walter J. Puzia, now abandoned.

Tools for severing strapping are well known in the prior art, but they comprise shears, or the like, which must be found provisioned at the destination point of a strapped crate, and be addressed to the strapping for the severing thereof. If shears are not available, other implements less well designed for the task such as a pry bar are pressed into service. Now, shears are expensive, and they can be applied to only one strapping at a time. Also, they must be passed from crate to crate, in order that all strapping of all shipment crates might be severed. Further, shears, pry bars, and such tend to become misplaced. In industry, if there is good tool control, the afore-noted disadvantages of shears can be minimized. However, homes and small shops which receive strapped crates ordinarily lack metal shears. Thus, the residentor shopkeeper has an almost hopeless task in trying to cut strapping from a crate or box in which is a television set, or whatever, that has been ordered.

It is an object of this invention, then, to teach the art to which the invention pertains means for severing strapping which avoids the disadvantages just noted. It is a particular object of this invention to set forth a tool, for severing extended strapping, comprising an axially extending body, said body having at least one strapping severing edge formed thereon and defining a handle for manipulation of said tool, characterized in that said body further has surfaces for engaging opposite sides of strapping which surfaces, in response to an engagement thereof with strapping, cause said body to assume a planar position parallel with such engaged strapping, facilitate a travel of said tool with such engaged strapping, at least upon the latter being secured about a crate or the like, and cooperate with a taut disposition of such engaged strapping, upon said handle being manipulated to urge said one edge into a surface of such engaged strapping, to cause said edge to sever said engaged strapping. A featureof this invention comprises a body having surfaces formed thereon for engaging opposite sides of the strapping, in which at least one of the surfaces defines a strapping severing edge, and a handle at one end of the body used for moving the body relative to the strapping to cause the edge to move into and sever the strapping.

Further objects and features of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. I is an isometric projection of a portion of a shipping crate having strapping thereabout, the strapping having a first embodiment of the novel tool, according to the invention, in engagement therewith;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the tool of FIG. 1, taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the tool of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the first embodiment of the inventive tool taken along sections 44 and 55, respectively, of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a portion of a second embodiment of the novel tool; as depicted in FIGS. 2-6, these embodiments of the tool further comprise a clasp for clinching and securing the ends of the strapping about the strapped item;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the novel tool;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a portion of the tool of FIG. 7- taken along a section 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the new tool;

FIG. 10 is a top or end view of the tool of FIG. 9 taken along section l010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a portion of a fifth embodiment of the tool according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is an axial cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 11 taken along a section l2l2 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a frontal view of a sixth embodiment of the new tool;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 13 taken along section 14-14 of FIG. 13, as the tool appears in place on a crate or the like and secured for transit with the crate;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIGS. 13 and 14, the cross-section corresponding to that of FIG. 14, in which the tool has been placed on edge ready to sever the strapping;

FIGS. l6, l7, l8 and 19 are views of a seventh embodiment of the novel tool comprising a two-part body structure, the same being, respectively, a front view, a cross-sectional view of the tool disposed for transit, taken along section l7l7 of FIG. 16, a side elevational view of a portion of the tool, taken along section l8l8 of FIG. 16, and a cross-sectional view corresponding to that of FIG. 17 except that the tool is on edge ready to sever the strapping;

FIGS. 20 and 21 depict an eighth embodiment of the new tool, FIG. 20 being a frontal view, and FIG. 21 being a side elevational view taken along section 2l2l of FIG. 20;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are, respectively, frontal and side elevational views of a ninth embodiment of the new tool;

FIG. 24 is a front view of a tenth embodiment of the novel tool;

FIGS. 25 through 29 are views of an eleventh embodiment of the inventive tool;

FIG. 25 is a plan view;

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, taken along section 26-26 of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a bottom view;

FIG. 28 is an end view; and

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section 29-29 of FIG. 27 of this eleventh embodiment of the tool;

FIGS. 30 and 31 are illustrations of still further embodiment of the new tool;

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a cutter head shown, together with projection lines therefor, with a handle usable with the cutter head for manipulation thereof; and

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of an alternate cutter head which also is manipulatable by the handle of FIG. 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, a shipping crate has strapping 12 thereabout and a tool 14, according to the invention, is in engagement with the strapping. The tool 14, as depicted in FIGS. 2 through 5, comprises a body 16 having surfaces 18, 20, 22, and 24 which envelop the strapping 12. Surfaces 24 are defined by underslung tabs 26 integral with the body 16. The tabs 26, together with the upper surface of the body 16, secure the ends 12 and 12" of the strapping 12 while also securing the tool 14 to the strapping and to the crate 10. The roots of the tabs 26 and the body portion thereat, are clinched at 27 to secure the ends 12 and 12" about the strapped crate 10. A severing edge 28 is defined at the termination of surface 18, the same extending diagonally relative to the axis of the strapping. The end of the body 16 which is opposite the edge 28 comprises a handle 30. The end of the handle is arcuately defined, to facilitate manipulation thereof, and further has an access aperture 32 formed therein and therethrough for engagement thereof with an accessory tool.

As FIGS. 1 through 5 evidence, the banding of the strapping 12, through the cooperation of the surfaces 18, 20, 22, and 24, even without the crimping or clinching 27, secure the tool 14 in position on the strapping 12 and crate 10. Thus, even without the clinching thereof, to secure the ends 12 and 12", the tool 14 will travel with the crate, will not fall free from the crate, and is in ready position at all times for manipulation to sever the strapping. To sever the strapping 12, by means of the tool 14, it is only required to lift the handle 30, i.e., pull the handle 30 outwardly from the strapping, to cause the edge 28 to cut into the strapping and form a severing slice therethrough. The furthermost extremity of edge 28 first moves into the strapping l2; thereafter, the tautness of the strapping cooperates with the rest of the edge 28 to sever the strapping fully across.

The strapping severing tool 14, as the FIGS. 1 through 5 show, eliminates any requirement for provisioning separate strapping securing clips of the like. The tool 14 itself, provided for travel with the crate 10, is also the means for both securing the strapping 12 in place about the crate, and for severing the strapping, upon the crate having reached its destination.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is substantially identical to the first embodiment, except that instead of the single diagonal edge 28, two diagonal edges 28', which meet in a sharp point on the median of the strapping 12, are used. This embodiment of the tool severs the strapping 12 by first penetrating the strapping in the median area thereof, and forming a V-shaped incision therefrom. So also, the embodiment of FIG. 6 is clinched at 27, again, to secure the ends 12' and 12" (the latter of which is not shown) of the strapping 12. The embodiment of the strapping severing tool shown in FIG. 6 also, then, obviates any requirement for separate securing clips"; in the one tool is embodied the means for securing the strapping 12 and the means for severing the strapping.

The tool depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 employs a similar diagonal edge 36 which is formed in one side of a foursided aperture 38 in the tool body 40. The strapping is passed through the aperture 38 prior to the taut banding thereof about the crate or box or whatever. The juncture 42 of the two sides of the aperture 38 serves as a fulcrum-pivot point about which the tool is rotated, as indicated in the dashed-line positioning in FIG. 7, to cause the furthermost extremity of the edge 36 to cut into the strapping 12.

The FIGS. 9 and 10 embodiment of the novel tool 44 also uses a diagonal edge 46, and an axially extending edge 48, for severing the strapping 12. However, this embodiment has a right-angular cross-section at the working end with an upstanding rib 50. The rib 50 serves to hold the tool 44 in place on the strapping l2, and further has a bearing surface 52 about which the tool is rotated, again as indicated by the dashed-line positioning in FIG. 9, to cause the edge 48 and the furthermost extremity of edge 46 to commence the severing of the strapping 12.

The tool 54 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 has twospaced-apart apertures 56 and 58 formed therein 'whrough which the strapping 12 is threaded. A transverse web 60, which separates the two apertures 56 and 58, formed of the body 62, has a severing edge 64 fomied thereon. With withdrawal of the handle end (not shown) of the tool 54 from the strapping 12, the opposite extremity of the tool 54 bears upon the strapping and the severing edge is urged into the strapping surface interfaced therewith. Thus, edge 64 parts the strapping.

All of the embodiments described thus far comprise body and handle portions of strapping severing tools, the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 6 further comprising strapping securing means, which body and handle portions extend longitudinally in parallel with the strapping. The embodiments comprised by FIGS. 13 through 19 are tools which extend perpendicularly from the strapping, albeit that they lie and travel in parallel with the strapping. These latter embodiments lie flat with the crate or box or whatever, and are therefore non-obtrusive during shipment and handling. However, in use they are rotated 90 of are, relative the axis normal thereto, to dispose them for severing action, and the handles thereof depend at a right angle from the strapping. The tool 66, shown in FIGS. 13 through 15 has a body 68 with a four-sided aperture 70 formed therein, and a handle 72 extending therefrom at a right angle from the strapping 12. Opposite sides of the aperture 70 present severing edges 74 and 76. To use the tool 66 to sever the strapping, the tool is first turned onto a lateral edge thereof, and then the handle 72 is raised from the crate, box, or whatever, to cause the edges 74 and 76 to intrude into the strapping 12.

The embodiment of the invention, tool 70, depicted in FIGS. 16 through 19, is also used by turning the same onto a lateral edge thereof. However, this tool imparts a type of scissors-action to sever the strapping. Tool 78 comprises a body 80 formed of two portions 82 and 84 which are pivotally joined by a rivet 86. Each portion has a four-sided aperture 88 and 90, respectively, formed therein, and normally i.e., with strapping in penetration of the body 80 the apertures are in registry. Each aperture 88 and 90 has a side which defines a severing edge 92 and 94, respectively, so that, as the handle 96 is moved away from the strapping after the tool 78 has been turned on edge, as shown in FIG. 19 the edges 92 and 94 knife through the strapping 12. The tool 98, shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, is formed from rod stock. It is configured in serpentine fashion to define a first limb 100 which overlays the strapping l2 and a second limb 102 which underlies the strapping, the two being joined by an axially extending arm 104, the latter limb having a dog-leg-shaped handle 106 contiguous therewith; the handle surmounts the strapping 12. Arm 104 is elevated from the normal plane of the strapping, and a difrst section 108 of the handle 106 rises from the same nonnal plane, so that the arm 104 will serve to keep the tool 98 in axial alignment and in position with the strapping and to enable the strapping 12 to pass underneath the handle 106. Further, a per pendicular extending stub 110 projects from limb 100 to cooperate with arm 104 to restrain the tool 98 in position. The edge 112 of second limb 102 which is furthermost from handle 106 defines the cutting edge which severs the strapping 12 when the handle 106 is raised from the strapping.

The novel strapping severing tool 114 illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23 is also formed of rod stock. This much simpler embodiment, however, efficient for use with light strapping 12, comprises a diagonally disposed limb 116 in which is formed a slot 118 for receiving strapping therewith. The limb 116 is contiguously joined with a dog-Ieg-shaped handle 120 which overlies the strapping 12. The underlying portion of the limb 116 presents a severing edge 122 which, upon the handle 120 being raised from the strapping 12, cuts into the strapping 12 and severs the same.

Where the strapping involved is quite light, and it is not necessary to have the purchase afforded by the diagonally disposed limb 116 of the embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23, a simpler tool 124 having a limb 116 which extends at a right angle from an axially extending handle 12, as shown in FIG. 24, is quite adequate. Tool 124 features a same strapping accomodating slot 118 and cutting edge 122, and is used by raising the handle 120' away from the strapping 12 to effect a severance thereof.

Tool 200, shown in FIGS. 25 through 29, comprises an elongated, substantially U-shaped cross-sectional body 202. Side, depending walls 204 contiguous with, and extending from a flat, planar-surfaced sheet 206, cooperate with said sheet to define a channel 208 within which the strapping 12 is confined. A first aperture 210 is formed in tool 200, at one end thereof, said aperture being defined by walls 204, and end web 212 and an intermediate web 214. A side of web 214 furthermost from web 212 is V-shaped, said side having defined thereon a pair of diverging/converging strapping cutting edges 216. Edges 216 and and an end of sheet 206 cooperatively define a second aperture 218 within body 202. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 only, the sides of the body 202 are clinched at 220 to clasp and secure together the ends 12 and 12" of the strapping 12. Optionally, then, the tool 200 can be fixed for travel with the strapping 12 on the strapped crate, or so fixed for travel and, additionally, be deformed to also fasten the ends of the strapping securely about the crate.

Strapping 12 is confined within channel 208, passed through to lie upon surface A" of web 214, and put through aperture 210 to lie upon surface B of web 212. Accordingly, when the end of the body 202 which is opposite from web 212, the same defining a handle 222, is raised, edges 216 knife into the confined strapping and sever same. In that the edges 216 are V- formed, they have a purchase advantage; outermost ends of the edges first slice into the strapping 12 and then finish the cut by meeting at the juncture of the edges 216 in the median of the tool 200.

Tool 200 further has a longitudinally extending slot 224 formed in the handle end of the body which gives this embodiment of the novel tool a particular versatility. After the tool 200 has been manipulated to sever the strapping 12 with which it is engaged, it comes free of the crate. Then thetool can be used to sever further strapping. This is done, simply, by enveloping the further strapping with and within slot 224 and, by using the apertured end of the tool now as a handle, and rotating the tool 200 about the further strapping about the axis of the strapping it will rip the same. With the use of tool 200, then, on a multi-strapped crate, the tool being engaged with but one of the several strands of strapping, the same tool can be used to sever all other strands of cratestrapping. Thus, only one tool 200 needs to be fixed to, for travel with, a crate.

The depicted embodiment of tool 200 is formed by a stamping process which both cuts the apertures 210, 218, and slot 224, and also depresses web 214 to cause the latter to be underslung so that the strapping may be disposed between webs 214 and 210 and lie linearly within channel 208. Clearly though, the manner of fabrication is one of choice; other methods casting, or whatever will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art from our teaching. In each and every embodiment of the invention there is disclosed a tool having surfaces which engage opposite sides of the strapping 12. The surfaces, in each and every depiction, are responsive to the engagement thereof with the strapping to cause the tool to assume a planar position parallel with the strapping and non-obtrusive from the crate or packing box. Each embodiment, also, by simple manipulation of the handle thereof, causes a severing of the strapping. Further, the embodiments comprised by FIGS. 1 through 6 teach tools which both provision means for securing the ends 12' and 12" of the strapping 12 in position about the crate, box, or whatever, in being clinched at 27, and means for severing the strapping 12 upon the crate having reached its destination. Tool 200, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, also provides for a clasping of the strapping ends 12' and 12", at 220, to secure the strapping to the crate.

It is proposed that the inventive tool, in each of the several embodiments, be disposable. That is, the tool is simple and economical of manufacture, and in having features which enable its travel with the strapping and crate, invites its one-time use and discarding. Of course, even following use, the tool can be salvaged and put to use again, being banded onto another crate for shipment therewith. The options of one-time use or repeated use are matters which address themselves to the economics of the situations in which the tools are to be employed.

Some of the embodiments of the invention, i.e., the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 5, and of FIGS. 7 and 8, for instance, require emplacement of the tool on the crate or packing box at the time of strapping of the crate or box, and will be of more interest to industrial users therefor. Yet, embodiments such as those depicted in FIGS. 22 through 24, for instance, can be addressed to the strapping to sever the same without having to have travelled with the crate even though the same are configured to accommodate such travel. Such latter embodiments, then, will be of interest to shopkeepers and householders. Such embodiments can be retained in the shop or home, ready for use to open any strapping-banded embodiment.

The tool 200 depicted in FIGS. 25 through 29 serves both facile uses. That is, tool 200 is configured for banding to and with the crate for shipment therewith, and yet, in having the strapping cutting slot 224 formed therein, can be maintained for use independent of shipment to cut strapping.

It can be appreciated that strapping-banded crates having our novel strapping severing tool carried therewith will be received in given environments which will dictate that the recipients of the crates, who also must open same, may have to wear heavy work gloves or the like. This being a likely circumstance, some difficulty may be encountered by the crate-receiving personnel in attempting to interpose a gloved finger between the strapping band and the end, the handle end, of the novel strapping severing tool restrained thereagainst. For this reason, our tool, in at least one embodiment, contemplates the forming of a starter tab thereon. As shown to advantage, in FIGS. 25-27, is such a starter tab 226, the same being formed in the end of the tool 200 whereat the handle 222 is disposed. Tab 226 comprises a minor, terminal portion of sheet 206 which has been displaced from the normal plane of sheet 206 to lie on a plane thereabove (as viewed in FIG. 26). In this embodiment, which is only exemplary, tab 226 is formed by a stamping process. It will be clear to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that starter" tabs of other forming and configurations can be provisioned, taking teaching from our disclosure. For instance, the terminal portion of sheet 206 can be bent to cause same to present an access elevation thereof above an underlying strapping band. Also, optionally, a separate tab of metal can be fixed to the terminal portion of sheet 206, and thereupon, such separate tab being arranged to extend beyond the terminal end of sheet 206. These and other embodiments of such starter tabs, as will occur to those skilled in this art, are comprised by the spirit of our invention.

Starter tab 226 readily accepts a gloved finger (or fingers) therebelow, and allows personnel to commence elevation of handle 222 so that severing of the strapping band can be accomplished. In fact, where the tool 200, with the starter tab 226 formed thereon, lies horizontally along a strapping band on a top of a crate, a worker can mount the crate and, by addressing the toe of his boot or work-shoe to the starter tab 226, quickly kick the tool 200 up and away from the crate rapidly severing the strapping band in the process.

An especially inexpensive embodiment of the tool is depicted in FIG. 30, the same comprising a cutter-head 250 and a cooperating handle 25.2 therefor. Cutterhead 250 comprises a web 254 having a cutting edge 256 formed thereon. and parallel, upstanding walls 258 at either sides of the web 254. Terminal edges of the walls are turned in upon themselves to define a track way 260 for receiving the strapping. In use, the cutterhead 250 is slid onto an end of the strapping before the strapping is made taut about the crate; accordingly, the cutter-head travels with the strapped crate. It is contemplated that each of several straps secured about a crate will have a cutter-head 250 threadedly engaged therewith. One of the cutter-heads, however, will also have the handle 252 slid into the trackway 260; one end of the handle 252 is forced into the trackway 260, between the strapping and the in-tumed ends of walls 258, the end being held frictionally thereat. A crate so prepared, then, carries one handle 252 which is used to lift each of the cutter-heads 250 on the several straps. As indicated by the projection lines in the FIG. 30, the cutter-head 250 and handle 252 operate most effciently and quickly, to sever the strapping, if one end of the handle is set into the trackway end which is most adjacent to the cutting edge 256.

An alternate cutter-head embodiment is shown in FIG. 31. This embodiment is substantially identical to the working end of the tool 200 (FIGS. 25 29). It has depending walls 204 and the same apertures 210 and 218 with an intermediate web 214, and an end web 212. Web 214 carries the cutting edges 216 thereon. Again, cutter-head 262,this FIG. 31 embodiment, is carried with the crate strapping in the same manner as tool 200. Also, as with the cutter-head 250, it is manipulated by the handle 252 the handle being addressed thereto by directing an end of the handle toward the cutting edges. By simply inserting the handle end and lifting, the cutting edges 216 (and 256, FIG. 30) sever the strapping.

The several tool embodiments each comprise a body which is substantially flat or uniplanar, wherein the cross-sectional dimension thereof is less than the width. Thus, the tools present a minimal profile, whereby they will not interfere with crate or packing box vertical stacking and, more, will not be damaged by having crates or packing boxes emplaced upon them.

We claim:

1. A tool, for severing strapping, comprising: a tool body, having a longitudinal axis;

said body being substantially flat or uniplanar, to facilitate unobtrusive travel thereof with strapping secured about a crate or the like, having a crosssectional dimension which is less than the width thereof;

said body also having surfaces for engaging opposite sides, and at least one lateral edge, of strapping; and said body further having a strapping-severing edge formed on at least one of said surfaces; wherein said body is responsive to a rotay movement thereof, relative to strapping in engagement therewith, to urge said severing edge into a surface of such strapping to cause a severing of the latter;

said strapping engaging surfaces cooperatively define parallel, axially-extending trackways in said body within which to receive strapping; and

said body has a substantially flat portion or web with parallel, upstanding or perpendicular walls extending therefrom at each side thereof, ends of said walls being turned inwardly to define said trackways in cooperation with a surface of said flat portion or web.

2. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein:

said strapping severing edge is formed on said one of said strapping engaging surfaces to define an immediate interface with strapping engaged with said body, to cause said severing edge to cut into such engaged strapping upon initial rotary movement of said body.

3. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein:

said body defines a substantially U-shaped channel,

within which to receive strapping and a manipulating handle; and further including a handle for engagement with said'channel, manipulatable for effecting rotary movement of said body.

4. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein:

said severing edge is formed on an axial end of said body.

5. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein:

said body is responsive only to rotary movement thereof, relative to strapping in engagement therewith, to cause said severing edge to sever the engaged strapping.

6. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein:

at least a portion of said severing edge defines an obtuse angle relative to said axis.

7. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein:

said severing edge defines a pair of obtuse angles relative to said axis.

8. A tool, according to claim 7, wherein:

said severing edge comprises a first portion defining one of said angles, and a second portion defining the other of said angles;

said first and second portions being joined to define an apex; and

said apex is spaced apart from adjacent, axially terminating ends of said trackways, in an axial direction.

9. A tool, for severing strapping, comprising:

a tool body, having a longitudinal axis;

said body being substantially flat or uniplanar, to facilitate unobtrusive travel thereof with strapping secured about a crate or the like, having a crosssectional dimension which is less than the width thereof;

said body also having surfaces for engaging opposite sides, and at least one lateral edge, of strapping; and

said body further having a strapping-severing edge formed on at least one of said surfaces; wherein said body is responsive to a rotary movement thereof, relative to strapping in engagement therewith, to urge said severing edge into a surface of such strapping to cause a severing of the latter;

said body also has a pair of apertures formed therein and therethrough, and a web extending transverse of said axis which separates said apertures one from the other thereof; and

said severing edge is formed on a side of said web.

10. A tool, according to claim 9, wherein:

said body comprises a flat, planar-surfaced sheet disposed in a first plane;

said web is disposed in a second plane spaced apart from said first plane; and

said web and said sheet cooperatively define an axially extending, unobstructed, throughgoing passageway therebetween.

* I l l mg I IlNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,831,280 Dated 27 August 1971;

I t Jack Brothers and Walter J. Puzia It is certified that er ror appears in the "sheila-identified patent. and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Ch the first page of the patent, the 13111] Code information should be changed as follows: i1 and "Fuzia" should. read Puzi -3 e In col-121m 4,. line 21, "whr-ough" should read through In column 53 line 8, difrst" should read first and In column 8, line 47, "rotay? should read. --"rota rya Signed and sealed this 7th day of Januery 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY 2-1. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer: Commissioner; of Patents 

1. A tool, for severing strapping, comprising: a tool body, having a longitudinal axis; said body being substantially flat or uniplanar, to facilitate unobtrusive travel thereof with strapping secured about a crate or the like, having a cross-sectional dimension which is less than the width thereof; said body also having surfaces for engaging opposite sides, and at least one lateral edge, of strapping; and said body further having a strapping-severing edge formed on at least one of said surfaces; wherein said body is responsive to a rotay movement thereof, relative to strapping in engagement Therewith, to urge said severing edge into a surface of such strapping to cause a severing of the latter; said strapping engaging surfaces cooperatively define parallel, axially-extending trackways in said body within which to receive strapping; and said body has a substantially flat portion or web with parallel, upstanding or perpendicular walls extending therefrom at each side thereof, ends of said walls being turned inwardly to define said trackways in cooperation with a surface of said flat portion or web.
 2. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein: said strapping severing edge is formed on said one of said strapping engaging surfaces to define an immediate interface with strapping engaged with said body, to cause said severing edge to cut into such engaged strapping upon initial rotary movement of said body.
 3. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein: said body defines a substantially U-shaped channel, within which to receive strapping and a manipulating handle; and further including a handle for engagement with said channel, manipulatable for effecting rotary movement of said body.
 4. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein: said severing edge is formed on an axial end of said body.
 5. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein: said body is responsive only to rotary movement thereof, relative to strapping in engagement therewith, to cause said severing edge to sever the engaged strapping.
 6. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein: at least a portion of said severing edge defines an obtuse angle relative to said axis.
 7. A tool, according to claim 1, wherein: said severing edge defines a pair of obtuse angles relative to said axis.
 8. A tool, according to claim 7, wherein: said severing edge comprises a first portion defining one of said angles, and a second portion defining the other of said angles; said first and second portions being joined to define an apex; and said apex is spaced apart from adjacent, axially-terminating ends of said trackways, in an axial direction.
 9. A tool, for severing strapping, comprising: a tool body, having a longitudinal axis; said body being substantially flat or uniplanar, to facilitate unobtrusive travel thereof with strapping secured about a crate or the like, having a cross-sectional dimension which is less than the width thereof; said body also having surfaces for engaging opposite sides, and at least one lateral edge, of strapping; and said body further having a strapping-severing edge formed on at least one of said surfaces; wherein said body is responsive to a rotary movement thereof, relative to strapping in engagement therewith, to urge said severing edge into a surface of such strapping to cause a severing of the latter; said body also has a pair of apertures formed therein and therethrough, and a web extending transverse of said axis which separates said apertures one from the other thereof; and said severing edge is formed on a side of said web.
 10. A tool, according to claim 9, wherein: said body comprises a flat, planar-surfaced sheet disposed in a first plane; said web is disposed in a second plane spaced apart from said first plane; and said web and said sheet cooperatively define an axially extending, unobstructed, throughgoing passageway therebetween. 